Leaders across all faiths in the tri-state were hopeful that Pope Francis will work across faith boundaries to tackle universal issues.

“Poverty is on the rise,” said Karen Dabdoub of the Cincinnati chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations. “Violence is on the rise, sectarian differences are on the rise, prejudice and hatred are on the rise, so there’s more than enough work to keep us busy.”

Dabdoub sees Pope Francis as a collaborator for peace.

“It seems that there’s someone there who comes from South America, that it’s not the usual European who had maybe more of an outward and worldly focus, who perhaps has already relationships with other faith communities,” Dabdoub said.

Sarah Weiss, of the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati, said the relationship is already in place in Argentina, Pope Francis’ home country.

“The incoming pope had positive relations with the Jewish community in Buenos Aires, and so we’re hopeful in the Jewish community that that will translate in his leadership,” Weiss said.

American Baptists at Montgomery Community Church are also encouraged that a man with a servant’s heart is now a world leader.

“We’re all in this thing together and basically it goes back to just having that unified vision and compassion and reaching out to a world that’s looking for answers, that’s for hope,” said Kim Vaught, pastor of Montgomery Community Church.